THE BYCULLA CLUB. 21 



of the narrow abode allotted to us on our last 

 journey. The natives are often seen driving in 

 small carts with an awning, drawn by two lilliputian 

 ■oxen. 



The mercantile nabobs of this city live in great style, 

 a yacht and a villa at Matheran, the hill sanitarium of 

 Bombay, amidst lovely scenery, are considered almost 

 indispensable, and during the cooler season an after- 

 noon drive on the esplanade, enlivened by a military 

 band, is quite de rigeur, but I doubt much whether 

 many people would continue the custom if there were 

 .anything else for them to do. 



To a stranger the bright costumes worn by the 

 natives belonging to different States, nay, even the 

 peculiar dress of an Indian policeman, in his blue 

 •coat, white trousers, and bright yellow turban, cat- 

 •of-nine-tails in hand, often flourished about the ears 

 •of those who interrupt his progress, even these, I 

 say, may interest at first, but the novelty soon wears 

 off. To be sure, there is the Byculla Club, of lofty 

 dimensions and elegant design, where, by the way, 

 ice and champagne cup seemed in great request ; but 

 unless one is fortunate enough in having acquaint- 

 ances amongst the members, one soon tires of the 

 pile of newspapers, and on looking round, one gener- 

 ally perceives that nearly every one is nodding under 



